Pasta is always a foolproof family dinner. This time of year, we’re looking for lighter, colorful, vegetable-laden noodles that come together fast. Here, a collection of 30-minute summer recipes that will have you saying “pasta la vista” to your summer harvest.
No-Bake Summer Lasagna
A feast for the eyes but light on the stomach, this layered dish from Martha Stewart is a burst of summer ripeness with no baking required. Serve with a simple green salad dressed in a lemon vinaigrette.
Balsamic Summer Pasta
It doesn’t get much easier—or more summery—than this cold pasta recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod, and yet it will wow your guests at any picnic, BBQ, or potluck. Simply toss your pasta of choice with crisp and juicy veggies, add a healthy dose of crumbled feta, and dress with your favorite balsamic vinaigrette. Then chill it while you go chill!
Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
EatingWell takes everyone’s favorite party dip and transforms it into a pasta dish that takes only 20 minutes to whip up! The rotini holds the creamy, cheesy sauce, then the flavorful artichokes add a bold finish. Cut the prep time on this recipe even more by using frozen artichokes—they’ll cook down just fine.
Grilled Ratatouille Pasta Salad
Use up the vegetables in your summer garden by cooking this quick-and-easy recipe from Country Living. Chock-full of grilled zucchini, eggplants, and colorful bell peppers, this pasta side will be a welcome addition to any seasonal gathering.
Caprese Mac and Cheese
Le Petit Eats puts a summery twist on beloved mac and cheese by incorporating lighter ingredients and caprese salad flavors. With the divinely smooth mozzarella and fragrant strips of basil, we know you’ll love this fresh spin on an old fave!
Lemon Broccoli Pasta
Keep it simple and light with this one-pot recipe from Eating Well that packs in “noodles” of flavor! We love the burst of bright lemon paired with the freshly shaved Parmesan in a packable meal that works as a picnic lunch or an alfresco dinner. Toss some chicken or shrimp on top to up the protein for a more robust dish.
Orzo Pasta Salad
Easy to make, easy to store, and even easier to ask for seconds! Served cold, this dish from Country Living—featuring kale, shallots, bell peppers, and two kinds of cheese combined with orzo—is refreshingly light and perfect for summer. The salad will hold for two days, and if it starts to get dry, simply add a touch of oil and vinegar.
Pasta with 15-Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce
The cherry on top of this pasta dish is cherry tomatoes! With minimal ingredients and little prep time, this recipe from Epicurious offers an easy way to utilize that summer produce. The sweet cherry tomatoes burst open to create a quick, vibrant sauce.
Deviled Eggs Pasta Salad
Deviled eggs, but make them pasta! This Country Living recipe uses eggs, pasta, mayo, and mustard for a light dish that works as a great summer dinner or a twist on your average picnic salad.
Pasta with Creamy Zucchini Pesto
This recipe from Food52 is a clever way to use up all of that extra zucchini in your late-summer garden! Sautéing the zucchini before adding it to the pesto enhances the final sauce’s flavor. Ricotta is added for creaminess, but for a lighter, more vegetal sauce, you can leave it out.
Garlic Lemon Shrimp with Pasta
This garlicky recipe from The Spruce Eats will become a summertime favorite. Not only is the tender shrimp fabulous with pasta, it can be served on rice, couscous, or with bread. Whatever way you decide to dish up this quick and easy meal, it’s a weeknight winner.
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